Betrayal of Innocence (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 1)

“He has always been like that,” Vanessa told him.

“Did you work at the orphanage while he was living there?” he asked curiously.

“No. Reuben is in his thirties now. I was too young to help when he was a resident there. I have only helped over the last couple of years. He was a different person when I started, but that was because of Carlotta,” Vanessa replied.

“Was she a resident?” Justin asked.

“No. She worked at the orphanage as a nurse. She used to look after the babies. Reuben adored her and followed her everywhere. She lived at the orphanage too; most of the full-time staff live there because the babies need so much care.”

“What happened?” Justin prompted when Vanessa fell silent.

“Carlotta met a man, married and moved away,” Vanessa replied.

Well if she can do it, you can too, Justin thought, but didn’t say as much aloud.

The sentiments hovered in the air, though and he suspected Vanessa knew it. He had to wonder if she truly cared about him, or if he was just a curiosity. It was a sobering thought.

“Reuben was devastated when Carlotta left. At first, he kept asking when she was coming back. It took him a while to understand she wasn’t going to. She did visit, about six months later, but Reuben wouldn’t even speak to her. She hasn’t been back since.”

“Reuben now works for the vicar,” Justin said. It wasn’t a question.

“Reuben wouldn’t survive life outside of the village. It is all he has ever known.”

“Is the village all you have ever known, Vanessa?” Justin asked quietly.

“I haven’t lived anywhere else, if that is what you are asking,” Vanessa replied. “I can’t leave my father, Justin. He needs me.”

Whereas you don’t, she thought, fighting back tears.

Justin felt her sentiments and shook his head in disbelief. He knew she couldn’t and wouldn’t be cruel enough to leave Graham so soon after having lost his eldest daughter. Vanessa was the only family he had left. Even so, was her father right to expect his daughter to sacrifice her life for him?

“I have to go to the orphanage in the morning,” Vanessa informed him when they were back in her driveway. “But I will be finished in time to drive to town again.”

Justin winced as he jumped down. He nodded. “I will escort you to the orphanage.”

“You don’t have to,” she argued. “I am perfectly capable of making my own way.”

“Not while I am in the village,” he countered.

“But you are going soon. What happens when you have gone? I will have to take myself about then, won’t I? No, I will be absolutely fine, I am sure of it,” she replied firmly, determined not to be swayed.

Justin opened his mouth to argue even though he knew she was right.

Still, the Star Elite already faced the embarrassment of having someone kidnapped from the area they were supposed to be guarding. To have someone like Vanessa snatched while helping them was something they had to avoid at all costs.

“I have to take you,” he persisted. “I am sorry, but you are helping us with our investigation ergo you have to be protected at all costs.”

Vanessa felt utterly deflated by the realisation he saw her as nothing more than a commitment brought about by his work. She had been pleased he had wanted to protect her while all the while he had been considering the Star Elite’s reputation.

“Do what you like, but I won’t wait for you,” she snapped, more affronted than she really should be. “Good evening to you.”

With that, she disappeared into the house and slammed the door behind her.

“Is that you, Vanessa?” Her father called from the bottom of the stairs.

Vanessa, leaned against the door and studied her father. He was suited in his finest and looked ready to go out.

“I am going out for a while,” he mumbled somewhat sheepishly.